Journal box structure



' Nov. 30, 1948. T. R. WEBER JOURNAL BOX STRUCTURE Filed NOV. 1, 1944 Patented Nov. 30, 1948 UNILTED STATES l TENT" oir-Fics 9 (Claims.

l This. invention relates to journal box structures. More particularly this invention relates to journal box; structures oi the general type shown in S1. patent to A- Lukens, No, 1,930g65ll, where- 'n an eyelessy cover spring-pressed on a journal lbon bya torsion spring. The, present invention is an improvement of the structureV of the Lukens patent.

An object. of the present invention is to provide an improved journalv box structure of the aforementioned type wherein is substituted for the usual hood employed -a member of reduced areal surface whereby suchv reduced area permits the use or thicker plate,y adding to the strength and rigidity of the member while maintaining approximately the weight of the usual hood.

A further object is to provide the foregoing member of pressed plate steel, cutting they blank from which the member is termed to provide the reduced area and so that there will be a large passageway through the interior of the member having an opening at the top and an opening at the bottom thereof, and alsoa large transverse passageway open through the sides of the member.

A further object. is to provide the member with a top wall, a bottom wall, and an intermediate spring-retaining wall', the top wall being formed with eyes for a hinge pin, the aforesaid top opening being formed by cutting a part of the top wall out between the eyes, the cut-out part forming the bottom wall of another blank, thereby saving plate steel in `forming the blanks.

A further object is to provide an eyeless cover flexibly connected to the member, employing a transverse bar which, with the member and cover, forms the exible joint connecting the cover to the member, the bar being rigidly connected to the cover thereby providing a structure wherein the bar may be of suicient strength and rigidity to substantially reinforce the cover so that the cover may be made oi relatively light material. The cover weight thus saved will enable a stronger spring with large coils to be used, and aheavier member coulzl be used ii desired, the weight saved in the cover compensating for the added weight of the spring and member.

Other and further objects of the invention will appear from the following description, the accompanying drawing and the appended claims.

Referring to the drawing forming a part of this application, Figure l is a front view of a journal box structure embodying the present invention, parts being omitted, the view including an as sembly tool shown in dot and dash lines; Fig. 2k

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is a side view oi the: structure of Fig, 1tho box being shown with its camY lugj and the hinge pin in dot and das-h lines and they upper port-iony of the spring beingl shown in tull lines in active position, andin dot. and dash lines in positiony for assembly and disassembly oi thevcoverand associated parts respectively with and from. the. box;l Fig., 3 is a section on the line III-III of Fig. l, parts being broken away, the box bein-g shown fragmentally and with its cam lug land the hinge pin in dot and dashlfines.; Fig. 4 ifs a section on the line Ill-IV of Fig. l, the box not being shown; Fig. 5, is. a fragmentary front View of the cover,l bar, member and spring. showfmg a. modication of the present invention; and Fig. 6 `is a sectionon the line VI--VI of Fig. 5i

Referring to Figs. l: to 4 inclusive..v the struc'- ture includes an open face journal box l, having at its top an oriiiced hinge lng' 2. provided with a camface 3, a hinge pin li mounted in the lug orifice and having endportions extending therefrom at each side of the lug, a cover 5 for-'the open face, a Y-shaped member o which is a substitute for the usual' hood and a torsion spring 'l'.

The cover 5/ is of the eyeless type and is shown as being provided` with a bottom tab 8 which may bey used as a handle in raising and lowering the cover, and aninwardly projecting peripheral yflange 9. The cover is further provided with a centrally located inwardly directed Offset lll forming a recess Il, and an outwardly directed onset l2 disposed laterally at each side of the recess HI and spaced therefrom.

A transverse bary i3, extending across the recess |l.is rigidly secured at its end portions to vthe cover byrivets lll which pass through the bar and cover, the bar making, with the recess ll, a slot i5 openat top and bottom. The bar supports the weight of the cover through the rivets i4. The top edge of thebar abuts the bottom edge oi the offsets l2 providing further support for the cover relieving some of the weight carried by the rivets. In this way the offsets l2 help to prevent the rivets from-becoming loose.

The olsets l2 are especially desirable where the cover is made of thin material or material that is not well adapted to withstand the wear placed upon it by the rivets, for instance covers made of aluminum or plastic. Otherwise. the oiisets l2 may be dispensed with as in cases where sui'- ciently strong pressed steel covers are employed.

The bar is cut at spaced points along its lower edge andthe portion between the cuts is turned outwardly forming a flange lt. This provides a recess I1 and adependinglip or tongue I8 each downwardly through the slot I5.

3 side of the lange I6 and recess I1, the flange and recess being centrally disposed as to the lower edge of the bar.

The member 6 which replaces the usual hood as aforesaid is of complex formation. It is cut from a flat metal plate (preferably steel) and pressed and shaped. The member 6 has a curved wall I9 providing a pocket 20 open inwardly and spaced outwardly from the cover at its upper portion, the pocket being for retaining the coils of the spring, as will later more fully appear. From this pocket extends upwardly and inwardly to the pin 4 two upper walls 2I. These walls extend from the sides of the pocket to the pin in hollow formation, opening inwardly, thereby imparting considerable strength to the member. They provide side openings Abetween their inner edges and the cover allowing for a transverse passageway through the member, as clearly shown in Fig. 2. The walls at their upper end portions are rolled around inwardly to form eyes 22 which are mounted on the pin 4, one at each side of the lug 2. The blank at the upper portion, instead of covering the lug as is usual, is cut out to form a straight sided opening 23 between the eyes and in front of the lug 21, the lug extending upwardly and forwardly through this opening. The metal cut out to provide the opening 23 may be used as the vlower wall in forming another member, thus saving metal.` Much weight is saved in the member by providing the large opening 23.

The laterally outer sides of the walls 2I diverge laterally outwardly from the pocket to the outer ends of the eyes 22 where they are cut square to form the outer ends of the eyes. It is the rear or inner portions of the eyes that engage the pin 4 to withstand the pressure of the spring applied to the member and for this reason the eyes at these portions are given the maximum width of the upper end portions of the walls 2|. It is not necessary to close the eyes as by weld'ing or otherwise. They may be left open as shown, the metal forming the member being of suiicient thickness to provide suicient strength for an open eye.

Any of the types of pin retainers may be employed. For instance a lip may be formed on the outer end of the eye and bent over the end of the pin. In the present instance, however, the v eyes near their outer ends are shear-cut at their free outer edges to form pin-retaining tabs 24 which in a well-known manner may be bent in the path of the pin to reta'in the pin in place and may be bent back to remove the pin. A tab is shown at each eye but obviously only one will be manipulated to retain or remove the pin, the other tab remaining in retaining position. The eyes are made to project beyond the pin to the extent of the width of the retaining tabs 24. As these tabs are formed at the front of the eyes they will not detract from the strength of the eyes.

The member 6 further includes a lower wall 25 which extends from the lower edge of the pocket 20 downwardly and inwardly to and beyond the bar I3. This wall contracts from the laterally outer sides of the pocket to the bar I3 where it is bent, and forms a tongue 26 which extends At the lower end of the tongue 26 the wall 25 is offset outwardly and projects downwardly providing a lower portion 21 below the bar I3. This lower portion extends laterally providing wings 28. These wings at their upper edges are turned outwardly providing flanges 29 disposed in the recess I'! between the tongues I8, thereby holding the bar and cover against lateral movement relative to the member 6.

The flanges 29 engage the ange I3 thereby supporting the bar I3 at widely spaced points and consequently the weight of the cover 5, and furthermore hold the cover square with the box face. While the flanges I5 and 29 are preferable as they lend to better supporting, nevertheless in some cases they may be dispensed with, the lower edge of the bar I3 and upper edges of the wings 28 being then relied upon for support of the bar by the member. Where the lower wall 25 or the lower portion thereof is taken from the cut-out metal providing opening 23 of another blank as has been previously mentioned, obviously the transverse width of the lower portion 2l will be no greater than the transverse width of the opening 23.

The engagement of the wings 28 with the bar I3 holds the cover square relative to the margins of the open face of the box. The tongue 26 bears against the bar I3 and is slightly spaced from the cover, thus providing, with the cover and bar, a ilexible joint permitting slight tilting movement between the cover and member when occasion requires. The portion 21 is slightly spaced from the cover when in closed position limiting or checking swinging of the cover relative to the member when the cover is being opened.

The contracted wall 25 provides an opening 30 at each side thereof which adds to the lightness of the member. The opening 30 provides, with the opening 23, an open free passage through the member which adds many advantages, among which may be mentioned that the lug 2 is exposed so that dirt will not collect on it and on the adjacent surfaces of the box as is the case where the hood is employed. The dirt, instead of so collecting, will blow away due to the open construction of the member. Thus there will be no collected dirt or other material to drop into the box when the cover is opened.

The torsion spring 'I may be made relatively heavy with large coils giving good flexibility withvout vadding weight, viewed from that of conventional structures. This is on account of the weight possible to save in construction of the member 6 and further in the employment of a light cover if this is desired.

The spring includes coils 3l formed in two groups 32 which seat against the pocket 20. The coils at their inner sides are slightly spaced from the vcover when in closed position limiting or checking swinging of the cover relative to the member when the cover is being closed.

The spring further includes arms 33 extending upwardly from the inner coils of the groups and the arms are connected at their upper ends by a yoke 34 upon which is mounted a roller 35. These arms extend through and upwardly beyond the opening 23 with the roller pressing against the cam face 3 outwardly of the member B.

The spring further includes legs 36 extending downwardly from the outer coils of the groups. The legs extend through the openings B and have their lower end portions seating against the bar I3 equidistant from the vertical center plane of the cover. The legs are circular in cross section and bear with substantial line contact on the bar I3. Due to this, the flexibility of the coils, which are preferably made of larger diameter than usual, and the positioning of the lower end poraasaosi tions `of the legs, the legs do not interfere with the desired tilting movement between the cover and member when this is necessary to maintain a .proper t of the cover about the periphery oi the box at its open face. Thus the cover is free to angle so that it bears evenly against the four sides yof the 'open face or the box.

When the cover is closed the spring at the roller exerts an inwardly directed force upon the lug cam, the legs exert an inwardly directed force through the bar upon the cover, and the coils exert an outwardly directed force upon the member at the pocket. Accordingly the tongue of the member exerts an outwardly directed force upon the bar and the resultant of this force and the force of the legs upon the bar provides the closing force of the cover upon the box, this torce being applied at the center of the box.

The available closing pressure becomes more eiective in holding the cover closed against the box face at all times as the weight of the cover is reduced. This fact, together with the generously proportioned spring, which is permitted by the novel spring retainer, creates a more effective closing force with adequate nexibility so that the cover can be opened and closed without any excessive build-up of resistance in moving over the cam lug. This is of vital importance as it is a necessary function that these lids should open and close without excessive manual eiort because of the required regular inspection, oiling and packing of the journal bearing. Increased spring yflexibility is also advantageous in maintaining more uniform pressure despite the variations or wear of journal box lugs that cause the amount of sprngcompression to vary.

It should be noted that all cooperating or limited movement parts are held in spring-pressed engagement and damaging vibration is thereby greatly reduced or eliminated.

The arms' 33 are curved outwardly to provide, between thev arms, the roller and the outer adjacent face of the member upper walls, a triangular space 31 in which, when increased sufficiently in size, a rod or tool 38 may be temporarily inserted bearing against the roller, arms and walls. This will lock the spring so that the cover, member and' spring may be shipped or transported as a unit. Furthermore, when assembling these parts onthe box, the tool will hold the roller away from the hinge cam so that the pin 4 may be inserted through the eyes and lug. When it is desired to remove the pin 4 from the eyesand lug the cover maybe raised slightly tol increase the size of the triangular space, the tool may then be' inserted and the cover thereafter closed. leaving the roller free' from the cam whereupon the pin li may be removed.

The modified structure shown. in Fig. 5 is substantially similar to that shown in Figs. 1 to 4. Therefore similar reference numerals are empioyed with accents added as tov similar parts.

In thefmodied structure the bar I3 is provided with `oriiices or sockets 39 and the legs v3S" Yhave inwardly directed lower end portions iii which engage these sockets. The flange l5 extends throughout the entire length of the bar I3', thus adding strength to the bar.

. In the modied structure the recessY Vl', tongues I8 and offsets l2 are not employed, the recess l l and the socketedportions @il being relied upon to resist lateral movement of the cover relative 'to the member, and the socketed portions being further relied. upon in place of the offsets l2 to relieve the rivets I4' lshould this prove necessary.

While there have been hereinbeiore described approved embodiments of this invention it will lbe understood that many vand various changes and modifications in form, arrangement 'oi parts and details of 'construction may be made thereto without departing from the spirit of the invention and that all such changes and modifications as fall within the scope of the appended vclaims are contemplated as a part of this invention.

The invention claimed and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

l. A journal box structure comprising a journal box having an open face and a hinge cam lug at its top; a closure including an eyeless cover for said open face and a transverse bar spaced at its center from the outer face or said cover providing a slot and rigidly secured at its ends tc said cover face; a member hinged to said lug., extending downwardly through said slot in spaced relation to cover at said slot to permit angling between said member and closure, said member having a lower portion with an outwardly directed `flange in engagement with the bottom edge of said bar for supporting said closure; and a torsion spring having coils engaging, and exerting an outward force against, said member between said lug and bar and having an upwardly extending portion engaging, and exerting an inwardly directed force against, the cam of said lug and having a downwardly extending portion engaging, and exerting a cover-closing force against, said closure.

2. A journal box structure comprising a journal box having an open iace and an oriced hinge cam lug at its top; a pin disposed in the orifice of said lug having end portions extending beyond opposite sides of said lug; a closure for said open face; a member including a longitudinally curved transversely extending spring-retaining pocket outwardly spaced from said closure, an arm extending upwardly and inwardly from each end of said pocket and having a iront wall and an outer side wall blending at its upper end into said iront wall, said front wall terminating beyond said side wall in a rolled eye mounted on the adjacent end portion of said pin, the inner edges of said arms and upper edge of said pocket providing an opening through which said lug extends disposing the cam oi said lug outwardly beyond said opening, and a leg extending from the middle oi the lower edge of said pocket downwardly and inwardly to said closure, said closure including an eyeless cover for said open race and means secured toy said cover connecting said cover to said leg to permit angling between said cover and meinber; and a torsion spring having two groups of coils within, engaging, and exerting an outward force against, said pocket, and a portion extending upwardly from the inner coils oi said groups through said opening, engaging, and exerting an inwardly directed force against, said cam, and two legs extending downwardly outside of said `member on opposite sides of said member leg,

one from each of the outer coils of said groups engaging, and exerting a cover-closing force against, said closure.

3. A journal box structure comprising a journal box having an open face and an oriiiced hinge cam lug at its top; a pin disposed in the orifice of said lug having end portions extending beyond opposite sides oi said lug; a closure for said open face; a member including a longitudinally curved transversely extending spring-retaining `pocket outwardly spaced from said closure, an arm extending upwardly and inwardly from each end of said pocket and having a front wall and an outer side wall blending at its upper end into said front wall, said front wall terminating beyond said side wall in a rolled eye mounted on the adjacent end portion of said pin, the inner edges of said arms and upper edge of said pocket providing an opening through which said lug extends disposing the cam of said lug outwardly beyond said opening, and a transversely constricted leg extending from the middle of the lower. edge of said pocket downwardly and inwardly to said closure providing an opening in said member at each side of said leg, said closure including an eyeless cover for said open face and means se cured to said cover connecting said cover to said leg to permit angling between said cover and member; and a torsion spring having two groups of coils within, engaging, and exerting an outward force against, said pocket, a portion extending upwardly from the inner coils of said groups through said opening, engaging, and exerting an inwardly directed force against, said earn, and two legs extending downwardly through said member openings on opposite sides of said member leg, said groups engaging, and exerting a cover-closing force against, said closure.

4. A journal box structure comprising a journal box having an open face and an oriced hinge cam lug at its top; of said lug having end portions extending opposite sides of said lug; a closure for said open face; a member including a longitudinally curved transversely extending spring-retaining pocket outwardly spaced from said closure, an arm extending upwardly and inwardly from each end of said pocket and having a front wall and an outer side wall blending at its upper end into said front wall, said front wall terminating beyond sa id side wall in arolled eye mounted on the adjacent end portion of said pin, the inner edges of said arms and upper edge of said pocket providing an opening through which said lug extends disposing the cam of said lug outwardly beyond said opening, and a leg extending from the middle ci the lower edge of said pocket downwardly and inwardly to said closure, said closure including an eyeless cover for said open face and means secured to said cover connecting said cover to said leg to permit angling between said cover and member; and a torsion spring having two transversely spaced groups of coils within, engaging, and exerting an outward force against, said pocket, a portion including two transversely spaced arms extending upwardly from the inner coils of said groups through said opening and being connected at their upper ends by a yoke upon which a roller is mounted, said roller engaging, and exerting an inwardly directed force against, said cam, and two legs extending downwardly outside of said member on opposite sides of said member leg, one from each of the outer coils of said groups engaging, and exerting a cover-closing force against, said closure, said roller and spring arms being forcible outwardly relative to the front walls of said member arms to provide therewith a transverse opening adapted for temporary retainment of a lock bar to facilitate assembling said pin with said eyes.

5. A journal box structure comprising a journal box having an open face and a hinge cam lug at its top; a closure including an eyeless cover for said open face and a transverse bar spaced at its center from the outer face of said cover providing a slot and rigidly secured at its ends to said cover face; a member hinged to said lug, extending beyond one from each of the outer coils of a pin disposed in the orice c downwardly through said slot in spaced relation to said cover at said slot to permit angling between said member and closure, said member having a portion including lateral wings extending downwardly from said bar, said wings having at their upper edges outwardly directed flanges in engagement with said bar for supporting said closure; and a torsion spring having coils engaging, and exerting an outward force against, said member between said lug and bar and having an upwardly extending portion engaging, and exerting an inwardly directed force against,V the cam of said lug and having a downwardly extending portion engaging, and exerting. a cover-closing force against, said closure.

6. A journal box structure comprising a journal box having an open face and a hinge cam lug at its top; a closure including an eyeless cover for said open face and a transverse bar spaced at its center from the outer face of said cover providing a slot and rigidly secured at its ends to said cover face, said bar having an outwardly directed flange at its bottom; a member hinged to said lug, extending downwardly through said slot in spaced relation to said cover at said slot to permit angling between said member and closure, said member having a portion including lateral wings extending downwardly from said bar, said wings having at their upper edges outwardly directed flanges in engagement with said bar ilange for supporting said closure; and a torsion spring having coils engaging, and exerting an outward force against, said member between said lug and bar an-d having an upwardly extending portion engaging, and exerting an inwardly directed force against, the cam of said lug and having a downwardly extending portion engaging, and exerting a cover-closing force against, said closure.

7. A journal box structure comprising a journal box having an open face and a hinge cam lug at its top; a closure including an eyeless cover for said open face and a transverse bar spaced at its center from the outer face of said cover providing a slot and rigidly secured at its ends to said cover face, said cover having outwardly projecting oisets having their lower edges engaging the upper edge of said bar; a member hinged to said lug, extending downwardly through said slot in spaced relation to said cover at said slot to permit angling between said member and closure, said member having a lower portion with an upper edge in engagement with the bottom edge ofsaid bar for supporting said closure; and a torsion spring having coils engaging, and exerting an outward force against, said member between said lug and bar and having an upwardly extending portion engaging, and exerting an inwardly directed force against, the cam of said lug and having a downwardly extending portion engaging, and exerting a cover-closing force against, said closure.

8. A journal box structure comprising a journal box having an open face and a hinge cam lug at its top; a closure including an eyeless cover for said open face and a transverse bar spaced at its center from the outer face of said cover providing a slot and rigidly secured at its ends to said cover face, said bar having a socket at each side of said slot; a member hinged to said lug, extending downwardly through said slot in spaced relation to said cover at said slot to permit angling between said member and closure, said member having a lower portion with an upper flanged edge in engagement with the bottom edge of said bar for supporting said closure; and a torsion spring having coils engaging, and exerting an outward force against, said member between said lug and bar and having an upwardly extending portion engaging, and exerting an inwardly directed force against, the cam of said lug and having downwardly extending legs terminating in hooks disposed in said sockets, said legs engaging, and exerting a cover-closing force against, said bar. v

9. A journal box structure comprising a journa box having an open face and a hinge cam lug at its top; a closure including an eyeless cover for said open face and a transverse bar spaced at its center from the outer face of said cover providing a slot and rigidly secured at its ends to said cover face; a member hinged to said lug, extending downwardly through said slot in spaced relation to said cover at said slot to permit angling between said member and closure, said member having a lower portion with an upper flanged edge in engagement with the bottom edge of said bar for supporting said closure, said bar having depending lugs on opposite sides of said member lower portion for preventing lateral REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 597,800 Davis Jan. 25, 1898 1,136,937 Christianson Apr. 27, 1915 1,801,462 Stewart Apr. 21, 1931 1,930,650 Lukens Oct. 17, 1933 1,969,865 Viberg Aug. 14, 1934 2,292,747 Dorey Aug. 11, 1942 

